By Vision Reporter
Brenda Tusiime has been announced as the second best farmer in Uganda at the 2024 Best Farmers’ Awards event at vision Group head offices.
Tusiime, 38, a determined and passionate entrepreneur, turned her love for farming into a thriving business that focuses on producing nutritious pumpkin flour. Starting with just a small piece of land in Fort Portal and a diploma in business administration, she transformed setbacks into opportunities by learning the science of value addition.
Today, Tusiime is not only recognised for her innovative products but also for her resilience and commitment to improving nutrition and supporting her community through employment and mentorship.
In a region struggling with high rates of malnutrition and stunted growth in children, Tusiime is making a significant impact. As the founder of Mema Agro-Organic Processors, Tusiime’s mission is to enhance nutrition for children aged six months to fifteen years and to provide vital supplements to the elderly. Her pumpkin flour, enriched with nutrients, addresses the nutritional gaps faced by many families, helping to combat malnutrition.
Through her company, Tusiime has also become a beacon of hope for local farmers. By training out-growers and providing them with the seeds and skills needed to grow pumpkins, she ensures a steady supply for her business while empowering farmers to earn more income.
Her work has not only elevated her business but also positively impacted livelihoods across Fort Portal, making her a key player in the local agro-economy.
Her journey from a modest beginning to a successful business owner is an inspiring example of how passion, perseverance, and a focus on community development can create lasting change.
It is because of her unique innovation that she emerged 2nd overall. “Tusiime is engaged in adding value to a unique product. There are many pumpkin farmers who are making losses due to a lack of markets and yet adding value improves the shelf life plus profits,” the judges said.
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This is the ninth year running that Vision Group, together with the Embassy of the Netherlands, KLM Airlines, dfcu Bank and Koudijs Animal Nutrition, are running the Best Farmers competition. The 2024 competition run from March to November, culminating in today’s awards ceremony.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Brenda Tusiime posing with her cash prize. Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo
